DOI: Archaeometry, 2025. 10.1111/arcm.70030 (About DOIs).
DOI: Journal of Medieval History, 2025. 10.1080/03044181.2025.2546884 (About DOIs).
Snails Capable of Eye Regeneration
Credit:
Alice Accorsi, UC Davis
Research has shown that certain snail species exhibit remarkable regenerative capabilities, such as the garden snail, which can regenerate its head after decapitation. The golden apple snail takes this a step further by fully regrowing its eyes, which possess anatomical and genetic similarities to human eyes, according to findings published in Nature Communications. This makes them a prime candidate for research endeavoring to unravel the mysteries of eye regeneration, potentially paving the way for vision restoration in humans.
While snail breeding can be slow in laboratory settings, golden apple snails, being an invasive species, flourish in such environments, notes Alice Accorsi, a molecular biologist at the University of California, Davis. These snails feature “camera-type eyes,” complete with a cornea, lens, and retina filled with millions of photoreceptor cells. Researchers have identified approximately 9,000 genes associated with the regeneration of lost eyes, narrowing this down to around 1,175 genes after 28 days of the regeneration process. The full maturation of the new eyes may extend beyond this timeframe, and further studies will determine if the regenerated eyes can process light and restore sight.
Accorsi utilized the CRISPR/Cas9 technology to alter a specific gene, pax6, in snail embryos, known for its role in eye and brain development across various species, including humans and mice. The results indicated that golden apple snails with two dysfunctional pax6 genes developed without eyes, underscoring its significance in eye maturation. Next steps involve investigating whether this gene influences the snails’ eye regeneration capabilities and pinpointing other potentially involved genes.
DOI: Nature Communications, 2025. 10.1038/s41467-025-61681-6 (About DOIs).
Vibrant, Glowing Succulents
Last year marked the debut of the first genetically modified glowing plant, the green-hued “Firefly Petunia” by Light Bio. Although the light emitted is not exceptionally bright and the cost of genetic engineering is high, it represents a meaningful milestone towards developing glow-in-the-dark plants suitable for sustainable lighting solutions. Researchers at South China Agricultural University have presented an innovative and cost-effective alternative by injecting succulents with phosphorescent substances, similar to those found in commercial luminous products, a method referred to as “afterglow luminescence.” Their findings were detailed in a paper published in the journal Matter.
